After many years working in private and public schools, Jessica knew she needed more; she wanted to change how education was taught. She knew without a shadow of a doubt that children can learn and feel positive simultaneously.

What better way to prove that her concept worked than to start a school? Entering its sixth year, The WHILDE School is a private homeschool program in Yarmouth, Maine. WHILDE, which stands for Whole Child Education, is a holistic education-based program focusing on the student's strengths, needs, skills, and interests.

Holistic education is like when one decides to plant a tree; they do not just pay attention to the type of seed. They make sure to use the right kind of soil; they check to see if the area they are planting has adequate drainage, enough sunlight, and ample water. Holistic education is no different when wanting to teach children. It is a comprehensive approach to developing the intellectual, emotional, physical, social, and spiritual aspects of the whole student.

Jessica also has a private practice where she and other coaches meet with students one-on-one, primarily working with students with superpowers such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and anxiety, including executive function deficits. When education is approached from a holistic level and is about the individual student, it doesn’t matter what needs your student has, as those needs will be looked at.

Society is always looking for a diagnosis and a treatment to “fix” our students instead of meeting them where they are and helping them find ways to learn how their brain takes in information. We need to accept neurodiversity in our culture and recognize that there are no one-size fits all way to learn.

Jessica’s true pride and joy is how she evaluates her students and creates the best plan, so students have a greater chance of academic and life success. The WHILDE Method is a holistic assessment approach focused on creating a Whole Child Educational Plan. Using an assessment strategy and plan to determine which areas of the body and mind need assistance to help with lagging skills and challenges students experience in everyday life and school.

The WHILDE Method provides a clear picture of the student's social, emotional, and physical needs so that one can incorporate its findings into their instructional practice with the student. Many educational plans in public and private schools support students' special educational needs, such as IEPs, 504s, and ISPs.

The WHILDE Method is for all students and complements any traditional plan schools may provide.

Jessica has an active home life with her family on a Casco Bay Island. There is never a slow moment in Jessica’s life, but she says she wouldn’t want it any other way!  The lives she has impacted with her love and kindness are too many to count.